Essex County Man Charged with Bank Robbery

NEWARK—An Essex County, New Jersey man is expected to appear in federal court today following his arrest in connection with a bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Michael Hasuga, 54, Bloomfield, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of bank robbery. He will make his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint:

Hasuga is charged with committing a bank robbery on October 9, 2012, at the Wells Fargo Bank in Rutherford, New Jersey. Hasuga entered the bank wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, and clear surgical gloves on his hands. Hasuga then passed a handwritten note to the teller threatening violence and demanding money. Hasuga was apprehended shortly after the robbery as he fled in his vehicle.

If convicted on the bank robbery charge, Hasuga faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward, with the investigation leading to the charge. He also thanked the Rutherford Police Department for their contribution to the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Eskew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.